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Abstract:

A bicycle roller assembly, comprising a frame having a length and
including two parallel rods running in the lengthwise dimension of said
frame and having a front roller and a pair of rear rollers mounted
between said parallel rods. In addition, a base assembly including a set
of feet is adapted to rest on a surface. Finally, a support assembly is
supported by said base assembly, and includes a set of linear bearings,
into which said parallel rods are mounted, so as to permit movement in
said lengthwise dimension.

Claims:

1. A bicycle roller assembly, comprising: (a) a frame having a length and
including two parallel rods running in the lengthwise dimension of said
frame; (b) a front roller mounted between said parallel rods; (c) a pair
of rear rollers mounted between said parallel rods; and (d) a base
assembly including a set of feet adapted to rest on a surface; and (e) a
support assembly, supported by said base assembly, and including a set of
linear bearings, into which said parallel rods are mounted, so as to
permit movement in said lengthwise dimension.

2. The bicycle roller assembly of claim 1, further including a motion
resistance assembly adapted to provide gentle resistance to said movement
in said lengthwise direction.

4. A bicycle roller assembly, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a front roller
mounted in said frame; (c) a pair of rear rollers mounted in said frame;
(d) a bicycle, having a front wheel and a rear wheel, mounted on said
rollers by having said front wheel balanced on said front roller and said
rear wheel supported by said pair of rear rollers; and (e) a
forward-movement stopping bumper/roller mounted on said frame and is
positioned so as to act to constrain said bicycle when it moves forward
from its intended position on said assembly.

[0002] A bicycle training device known as "bicycle rollers" has been
available for over one hundred years. This device consists of three
rollers supported by a frame. In use, the rear wheel of a bicycle is
brought to rest on two, relatively closely spaced (by about 20 cm)
bracketing rollers and the front wheel is balanced on top of the third
roller. This device permits a user to balance and steer the bicycle
(within a range) and to pedal at any speed desired. Unfortunately, users
are constrained as to how aggressively they can exercise since rapid
changes in pedaling speed and rider position can easily cause the rear
wheel to pop out of its bracketing rollers. Additionally, a bicycle which
is rigidly constrained acts to discourage the rider's natural movement
and is somewhat uncomfortable to ride. It is a principle object of this
invention to provide an additional degree of motion to more closely
duplicate the natural feel of outdoor cycling.

SUMMARY

[0003] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and
illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are
meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various
embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been
reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other
improvements.

[0004] In a first separate aspect the present invention is a bicycle
roller assembly, comprising a frame having a length and including two
parallel rods running in the lengthwise dimension of said frame and
having a front roller and a pair of rear rollers mounted between said
parallel rods. In addition, a base assembly including a set of feet is
adapted to rest on a surface. Finally, a support assembly is supported by
said base assembly, and includes a set of linear bearings, into which
said parallel rods are mounted, so as to permit movement in said
lengthwise dimension.

[0005] In a second separate aspect the present is a bicycle roller
assembly, comprising, a frame; a front roller mounted in said frame; and
a pair of rear rollers mounted in said frame. a bicycle, having a front
wheel and a rear wheel, is mounted on said rollers by having said front
wheel balanced on said front roller and said rear wheel supported by said
pair of rear rollers. Finally, a forward-movement stopping bumper/roller
is mounted on said frame and is positioned so that it acts to constrain
said bicycle when it moves forward from its intended position on said
assembly.

[0006] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described
above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference
to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the
drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed
herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0008]FIG. 1 is a side view of a bicycle training assembly according to a
preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 1A is a side view of the bicycle training assembly of FIG. 1,
but with bungees serving as the springs.

[0010]FIG. 2 is side view of a bicycle training assembly according to an
alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an additional alternative
preferred embodiment of a bicycle training device.

[0012] FIG. 3B is a side view of the bicycle training device of FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a training assembly 10, includes a set of
bicycle rollers 12 having a rollers frame 14, which is supported by
wheels 16. In turn rollers 12 are constrained by an assembly frame 20,
which also provides a pair of tracks 22 (only one shown) for wheels 16,
thereby permitting relative motion between the rollers 12 and the
assembly frame 20. Additionally, a light spring device 24 acts to gently
return the rollers (and bicycle rider) to the center of the stroke
whenever the rider's actions generate a plus or minus motion, thereby
permitting equal amounts of forward and rearward motion from a central
point. Preferably, a vibration damping spring, such as an elastomeric
linear element (bungee) is used for spring 24 (as shown in FIG. 1A).

[0014] In an alternative preferred embodiment a stationary exercise
bicycle is mounted so that fore and aft movement relative to a supporting
surface is permitted during use. In the context of this application the
term "bicycle-utilizing bicycle trainer" is any device into which an
actual bicycle is placed, prior to use. This includes both bicycle
rollers and plain or basic trainers, but not exercise bicycles.

[0015] Providing a frame 20 into which the bicycle training device, such
as bicycle rollers 12 is set, provides a smooth, hard surface for wheels
16 to rotate and permits the tethering of a spring that gently moves
rollers 12 back to the center of frame 20 when the bicycle rider's motion
has pulled rollers 12 for or aft. In an alternative preferred embodiment,
however, frame 20 is not present and bicycle rollers 12, equipped with
wheels 16, is set onto a hard smooth surface, such as a concrete or
cement surface. If wheels 16 are made of polymeric material, rollers 12
can even be set onto a wooden floor without damaging the floor. In
addition, wheels 16 may be adapted for their intended use. For example,
pneumatic tires can be used for use of rollers 12 on an asphalt surface.
Although in this embodiment springs are not present to return rollers 12
to their starting position, in practice there is not a great deal of
movement and a paved area that is only slightly larger than rollers 12
can accommodate a bicycle rider training on the wheeled rollers 12.

[0016] The front wheel 28 of the bicycle mounted on rollers 12 is
prevented from slipping off rollers 12 by a pair of horizontally mounted
rollers 30. Because they are rotatable, rollers 30 constrain front wheel
28 without stopping its rotation, which could cause an accident,
potentially injuring the bicycle rider. Likewise for and aft rotatable
roller/bumpers 32 prevent further movement when front and rear bicycle
wheels 28 and 26 move fore or aft from the intended position on rollers
12. Roller/bumpers 32 act to gently return wheels 28 and 26 to their
intended position.

[0017] In alternative preferred embodiments, wheels 16 are replaced by
some other relative motion permitting assembly adapted to permit for and
aft motion between the rider and the surface upon which assembly 10 or
other similar assembly is resting. These preferred embodiments include
the case in which frame 20 is not provided and wheels 16 rest on some
available surface such as a floor or a patio. In this embodiment wheels
16 may be enlarged and/or fitted with pneumatic tires. Other embodiments
include cases in which the relative motion permitting assembly includes a
frame, such as frame 20, but where wheels 16 are mounted upwardly on
frame 20 rather than downwardly on trainer device 12. Alternatively,
sliding surfaces on 20 and 12 could provide relative motion, or ball
bearings, possibly in races, could provide the relative motion between a
frame, such as frame 20 and a trainer device, such as trainer device 12.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, in an alternative preferred embodiment of a
training assembly 110, a basic trainer 112 is placed on wheels 116 and
set into a frame 120 to travel on tracks 122 and is returned to center by
springs 124. Trainer 112 keeps bicycle 126 laterally upright and provides
resistance to rear wheel 130. A stool 140 is provided for front wheel
128, which does not rotate and will translate in the same constrained
manner as rear wheel 130.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in an additional alternative
preferred embodiment of a bicycle rollers assembly 210, longitudinal
elements 212 that are round in cross-section support the set of rollers
214 upon which a bicycle rests, while in use. A set of feet 216 support a
set of linear bearings 218, into which are mounted longitudinal elements
212. To complete a frame structure, the transversely separated linear
bearings 218 are joined by cross-members 220. There are many different
types of linear bearings available that could be used as bearings 218. In
a preferred embodiment, linear bearings 218 incorporate ball bearings to
support the longitudinal elements 212. Finally, a motion resisting
assembly, in this embodiment comprising springs 222, provides gentle
resistance to the linear motion of elements 212 within bearings 218.
Skilled persons will recognize that the term "springs" is not limited to
coil springs but can apply to any element that progressively resists
motion.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, linear bearings 218 are more
specifically, 1'' linear bearings having part number A162536DD, from
LM-Tarbell of 140 Industrial Drive, East Longmeadow, Mass. 01028, which
has a website address of www.lm76.com. In this embodiment, linear
bearings 218 may be supported by an SPB16B mounting block, and
longitudinal elements 212 are LMRC-16-xx 1'' linear shafting, both also
available from LM-Tarbell.

[0021] In an alternative preferred embodiment longitudinal elements 212
and linear bearings 218 are square in cross-section. Suitable elements
for this design are available from LM-Tarbell and are shown online at
www.lm76.com/profile_rail_guides.htm.

[0022] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been
discussed above, those possessed of skill in the art will recognize
certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations
thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and
claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such
modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within
their true spirit and scope.